Rice wants more action, here or somewhere else

Nancy Gay, Chronicle Staff Writer

Published
4:00 am PDT, Thursday, October 14, 2004

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Raiders wide reciever, Jerry Rice, stands on the sidelines in the final seconds of play against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, September 19, 2004, at Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland, Ca. Rice did not have any receptions in the game ending his record-long streak of 274 consecutive games with at least one reception. MANDATORY CREDIT FOR PHOTOG AND SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE/ -MAGS OUT Sports#Sports#Chronicle#10/14/2004#ALL#5star##0422362372 less

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Raiders wide reciever, Jerry Rice, stands on the sidelines in the final seconds of play against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, September 19, 2004, at Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland, ... more

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez

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RAIDERS001_CAG.JPG
Raiders wide reciever, Jerry Rice, stands on the sidelines in the final seconds of play against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, September 19, 2004, at Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland, Ca. Rice did not have any receptions in the game ending his record-long streak of 274 consecutive games with at least one reception. MANDATORY CREDIT FOR PHOTOG AND SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE/ -MAGS OUT Sports#Sports#Chronicle#10/14/2004#ALL#5star##0422362372 less

RAIDERS001_CAG.JPG
Raiders wide reciever, Jerry Rice, stands on the sidelines in the final seconds of play against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, September 19, 2004, at Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland, ... more

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez

Rice wants more action, here or somewhere else

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After spending part of his 42nd birthday Wednesday reiterating his dissatisfaction with his shrinking role with the Raiders and expressing his desire to play somewhere else, Jerry Rice scheduled an evening meeting with owner Al Davis to discuss the state of his career.

"He's going to have a conversation with Mr. Davis and if there is something that can be done, it will be done," said Raiders coach Norv Turner, adding that he has spoken to Rice about his situation and understands his frustration after not getting any catches in last Sunday's 35-14 loss at Indianapolis, the receiver's second shutout in four weeks.

Through five games, Rice has five receptions, tying him for eighth on the team, for 67 yards and no touchdowns. Last season, Rice led the Raiders in receiving yards (869) and receptions (63) at age 41, continuing his reign as the first wide receiver in NFL history to play past the age of 40.

Turner said he doesn't see the complaints as distracting, and that he understands that Rice may feel he was misled as to what his role might be this season. But the coach did concede the urgency to develop younger receivers such as Ronald Curry, Doug Gabriel and tight end Courtney Anderson is paramount on a team struggling to improve a 2-3 record.

Rice, however, sounded like a man practically begging for a trade.

"I'm not trying to force anything, but, you know, it doesn't make any sense for me to stay here if things continue to go this way," said Rice, who is scheduled to earn $1.35 million this season. "I didn't envision what's going down right now. I pretty much was under the impression I was going to be a big factor this year, be a part of the offense and have opportunities to make plays."

The NFL's trade deadline is Tuesday. So, theoretically, Sunday's game with Denver could be his last in a Raiders uniform.

"All I know is that there was the rumor going on with Detroit, so when you're not being productive and not on the field, something's going on," said Rice, referring again to a report last week that the Lions and his former coach, Steve Mariucci, may have had interest in trading for him.

That source of that rumor eventually was traced to a radio call-in show, and both the Lions and the Raiders have patently denied any trade discussion. But Rice has continued to mention Detroit as a possible answer to his prayers, and told a Sacramento radio show on Tuesday that he believes his days in silver and black could be numbered.

Wednesday, Rice didn't back down, letting it be known that if Detroit or any team wants him he, he has a lot to offer.

"I don't know what is going to happen, but I'm pretty much prepared for whatever," Rice said. "I have had my ups and I have had my downs and if I have to go somewhere else, I'm going to do everything possible to help that team. I'm still going to be Jerry. Go in there and work my butt off and try to make opportunities for myself and also my teammates."

Could Rice go elsewhere? Four NFL general managers contacted by the Chronicle, speaking on the condition of anonymity, agreed that while they greatly admire Rice's accomplishments and work ethic, they believe he has little or no trade value -- even for a mid- to late-round draft pick -- at this stage in his career.

"Bottom line -- he's a 42-year-old receiver," one GM said.

Seattle may hold some interest in acquiring Rice; certainly the receiver has a long-standing relationship with former 49ers offensive coordinator Mike Holmgren, now the Seahawks head coach as well as acting GM.

"Jerry is a guy that might play two, three, four more years," Shanahan said Wednesday. "If it doesn't work out with the Raiders, I think it will work out for somebody. He still can be productive, and he is still in great shape. I still think he's got something left to him."

In Detroit, Mariucci tried to dismiss the Rice rumors once and for all, telling reporters there that the Lions are committed to their young group of receivers, among them Charles Rogers, David Kircus, Eddie Drummond and Roy Williams, the No. 7 pick overall in last April's NFL Draft.

"The trade deadline is next week. Not a lot of trades go on in football, " said Mariucci, who coached Rice before the 49ers released him in their epic salary cap purge of 2000. "If something like that were to come up, we would discuss it, I suppose, but right now our group of receivers is a young bunch and we like our group of receivers."